Rachel

No one knows for sure, but tradition has it that the "Rachel" in the name of this grand old fiddle tune refers to Rachel Jackson, beloved wife of President Andrew Jackson. As fiddler Joe Dobbs says, any woman who inspires a duel should have at least one song named for her. Here Joe and Doug Chaffin end the evening by putting Rachel through her paces.

Giving Jacob a Good Send-Off

Our old buddy and former Floodster Jacob Scarr was back in town for a few weeks during the holidays and we all had a great time together. But it's the new year and, as you hear this, Jacob is already back in Boulder, Colorado, where he's into his second year of college. At this week's Wednesday night gathering, just hours before Jacob's early morning flight out, The Flood had a raucous little going-away party for our former lead guitarist. Have a great year, Jacob;  your band of dutch uncles sends love.

Thank You, Shirley!

As we've said before, friends Norman and Shirley Davis have brightened our lives in so many ways, coming out to be with us almost every Wednesday night for nearly four years now.  Well, we lost Shirley earlier this week -- her 96 years ended peacefully at the hospice house here in Huntington, and last night Norman and all of Shirley's children, traveling here from all over the Eastern United States, came together for a magical evening to remember Shirley just as she'd want us to -- with laughter and smiles, and only a few tears. From all of us: Thank you, Shirley.

My Dear Companion

Whenever The Flood has been doing a tune for several decades, we're a little reluctant to go back and listen to the original from which we learned it. That's because we prefer to let a beloved song evolve in our care, with the lyrics and the tune changing subtly -- and sometimes not so subtly -- with the ever-altering currents of our moods and latest band membership. Here's a case in point -- this tune, which has been a Flood standard since the 1980s, has been reborn recently, largely because of the tasteful vocal harmonies of our new Floodster, bassist Randy  Hamilton. So here's it is: The 2012 version of the Jean Ritchie classic, "My Dear Companion."

This One's for Shirley

We were just beginning the rehearsal this week when got the news that the health of our dear friend Shirley Davis has taken a bad turn and she's now in hospice care here in Huntington. Shirley and her husband, Norman, have been regulars at the Flood's weekly rehearsals for almost four years now. It was in early 2009 when our mutual friend, Rose Riter, brought Norman and Shirley to their first Flood practice, and they've been coming back almost every week. A Wednesday night isn't complete with their smiling faces in the corner. In fact, The Flood dedicated its latest CD to the Davises and Rose Riter to commemorate how much a part of our lives they've become. Usually, when there's a lull in the action and we ask Shirley what she'd like to hear, she calls on Joe Dobbs for a lively fiddle tune. Here's what we sent out to her this week. This one's for you, Shirley -- feel better, sweetheart.

West Fork Girls

The Family Flood has much to be thankful for, especially decades of friendship. Last night, rehearsing on Thanksgiving Eve, we were full of stories, nostalgia and old songs, some of which we've not played in years. One such piece was that great old West Virginia fiddle tune, "West Folk Girls," which also provided one of the best laughs of the evening, when… well, check it out for yourself: It comes about midway through the track. And hey, have a happy, safe Thanksgiving, everyone!

South Wind

Sometimes -- okay, MOST times -- the highlight of an evening's rehearsal comes from the totally unexpected. Here's a case in point: We had wrapped up for the evening. In fact, at the beginning of this track, you hear Dave Peyton and others saying their good nights. But Joe Dobbs and Doug Chaffin felt like doing at least one more tune. They picked the beautiful Irish aire "South Wind." Now, they both knew the tune, but had never played it together, and this was the result.